Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the Hot Rod Forum : Hotrodders Bulletin Board forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name (usually not your first and last name), your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Insurance

Please select your insurance company (Optional)

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Additional Options

Miscellaneous Options

Automatically parse links in text

Automatically embed media (requires automatic parsing of links in text to be on).

Automatically retrieve titles from external links

Topic Review (Newest First)

01-17-2013 10:18 PM

duh57

The seat looks great, pat yourself on the back, from a upholster on the west coast. 48 years of experience uphlostering anything.

01-08-2013 05:05 PM

Boxc@r

Quote:

Originally Posted by 440man

Theres really none better that I know of in Tennessee than this guy. I have spent time in his shop just trying to learn. He is in Knoxville.

I understand that - most "leather" production line interiors are mostly vinyl, and I'm sure not the best leather in those parts that are.

That's exactly right, and it is also true of most "leather" furniture.

01-07-2013 06:42 PM

Boxc@r

If a guy was to get a leather job on his car....what would be some "typical" specification or and expectations that a quality upholstery guy would need to better understand the customers job. if any... Also...any particular better hides...or bad for that one should avoid?

Care to PM me as to the ball park $$ of a full leather job, Classic styling..no flames or excess tucks and rolls...just sharp and neat and well executed.

Just want to do some planning and I've got a year or so to be ready.

Thanks for such a great thread.

01-07-2013 05:59 PM

sedanbob

I understand that - most "leather" production line interiors are mostly vinyl, and I'm sure not the best leather in those parts that are.

01-07-2013 04:39 PM

DanTwoLakes

Like everything else, how the item is maintained is the important thing. If an item is abused, it doesn't matter if it is good quality or not, it will wear quickly. All things being equal, good quality leather will outlast vinyl every time. I'm not talking about what passes for a leather interior in production line cars.

01-07-2013 01:59 PM

sedanbob

Dan, I am not an expert upholsterer - I made my comments based from a user's perspective. I have seen many leather seats showing signs of wear, dried and cracking well before similar vinyl seats, and that is considering the older vinyls which were inferior to today's vinyls. I have also seen some fairly high-end leather interiors (in show cars) where the dyes didn't exactly match. Maybe what I have seen is not quality leather. I have no doubt you know your craft well and produce very high quality products. My point is that considering the extra expense, most folks would be better served by today's quality vinyls, than leather. If cost was no concern, then go for the leather.

01-07-2013 09:49 AM

69 widetrack

WOW, exceptional work Dan...if you where closer you'd have my upholstery work...for now I'm just trying to learn and the difficulty I'm having is finding someone in my area that #1) can do the quality of work I'm looking for and #2) if I find that guy, is he willing to take the time to teach me. #3) do I have the time...I'm sure I would make the time.

When it comes to paint and body...I hold my own.

When it comes to engines engines and drive line components like transmission and suspension...I have knowledge but as knowledge goes, things change and what I was good at in the 70's and 80's has evolved into something that I need to learn more and understand the details more of maximizing performance.

When it comes to interior...I would consider myself a lost sheep. I've done it...it looked OK...but it took me to long and for the time and money I spent I knew I needed an education. The difference between gaining the knowledge in your field of expertise compared to the other 2 I mentioned is that there are many more paint, body and mechanical technicians available to absorb the knowledge I crave from...very few with your talent that available to spend the time with someone that wants to learn and for the information you put out on this forum I applaud you.

I realize that I can't get great at everything and stay in touch with all the changes that occur in every field of the automotive aftermarket industry, time wouldn't allow it (we all need to earn a living) but, I can only hope to get more information on interior work so that I can become a better, more well rounded car builder.

Thanks again Dan
Ray

01-07-2013 09:33 AM

DanTwoLakes

I'm not saying vinyl is a bad thing, only that to say it will outwear leather is a very uninformed comment. The new vinyls are head and shoulders better than the crap that was used on the 40's 50's 60's 70's and 80's car seats, and vinyl is infinitely easier to work with. It comes on a roll, is easy to cut, is extremely consistent and looks good when done properly. Leather requires a lot more skill to work with, and if you make a mistake, it can be an extremely expensive mistake.

The pictures are of some seats from a '71 Roadrunner which were done in black automotive grade vinyl. They look great, but they can't compare to real good quality leather.

01-07-2013 07:32 AM

69 widetrack

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

Sorry, but there is no vinyl, premium or not, that will outlast good quality leather or look or feel like good quality leather. That includes Ultraleather type 100% polyurethane faced products, which I have stopped using altogether in cars. They do cost less, but beyond that leather beats leather substitutes hands down.

Thanks Dan...This is great information and I do respect your opinion. I've been told by many upholstery people the opposite and always had my doubts. As I said, I respect your opinion and will use leather on my builds whenever the budget allows (sometimes the customer dictates).

Ray

01-07-2013 07:25 AM

DanTwoLakes

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedanbob

You should check out some of the premium vinyls before locking in on leather. They look and feel just like leather, wear better, and cost a lot less. More consistent coloring too.

Sorry, but there is no vinyl, premium or not, that will outlast good quality leather or look or feel like good quality leather. That includes Ultraleather type 100% polyurethane faced products, which I have stopped using altogether in cars. They do cost less, but beyond that leather beats leather substitutes hands down.

01-06-2013 06:41 PM

69 widetrack

I've done a few custom interiors and I always try and go for the clean but unusual look. I have built an older Chevy product where I welded up the glove box, removed all of the things like starter switch. headlight switch, cigarette lighter, wiper switch, built a center console and moved everything into the console including the emergency brake and power window controls. I then opened up the existing radio space and put in a DVD, CD, radio combo. I went with aftermarket gauges and an Idit steering column. It look pretty good after the upholstery guy got done, I've done upholstery before but I'm way to slow and to be honest...I'm not that good. I will say, I did have more room than you do and moving all of your switches may be a bit difficult but, it sure would look cool.

I'll keep thinking and try and come with some ideas...if you like them great...if you don't, my feelings won't be hurt...LOL

Great looking console, the speedo section is now your focal point and other items need to be blended in around it.

Ray

01-06-2013 06:26 PM

Boxc@r

The round thing is the speedo....you see they gutted the inside area that the Instruments and glovebox would go...kinda wild project. Mine will have a regular cluster....unsure if ill resize the glove box or just weld and finish it off.

Believe their speedo is one of those all n ones

01-06-2013 06:15 PM

69 widetrack

That is a beautiful console...sorry but I couldn't make out in the pictures what the large circular thing in the middle is.

This thread has more than 15 replies.
Click here to review the whole thread.